Do you think of an evangelist as someone with a special gift and calling that enables them to present the gospel message effectively and win converts into the Kingdom of God? Yet doesn’t every believer know that this task is not reserved for a select few, but is the assignment of all Christians? They refer to the Great Commission, but a careful reading of this passage reveals that after presenting the gospel message you are to make disciples rather than converts. You are correct in seeing a distinction and realizing that this is the more difficult task. How do you do this more demanding task if you are not even an evangelist? The first disciple to make is yourself. 

You are called to honor and respect all men. Do you find this harder in some cases than others? All are made in my image and that is a strong enough basis to make the effort. This begins with common courtesy and manners. There may be a type of music or spectator or recreational activity that you have no interest in, but those who do take it seriously, and you honor them by doing so yourself when you are around them. People identify strongly with such things, particularly if they don’t identify with me. Be considerate enough to avoid offending them by insulting their interests. 

My word teaches you that when you do good deeds you should not let one hand know what the other is doing. Do you understand that this level of isolation from your own intentions and actions is not possible, especially if it is planned in advance? Yet have you ever been commended by someone for a gesture of kindness that you made without premeditation? You may have done it without thinking because it is intrinsic to your character but someone else saw it and gave you recognition that you were not looking for, and in doing so you fulfilled my commandment. And when I commend the righteous, what do they say? We are unprofitable servants who have only done our duty. 

I promised an abundant life to my followers. Can you see the visible evidence of this in people who life according to Kingdom principles? Don’t you see those who are generous and trusting and loving living lives of opportunity and adventure? Doors seem to open for them in a life with a continually expanding circle of involvement and influence. On the other hand, don’t you see those who are selfish and grasping and fearful living lives that shrink to ever more petty concerns? This stunted and diminished human existence is not my plan for you. What other Kingdom principle is so obviously demonstrated by visible evidence as abundant life?